Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
quilate
noun
kee-lah-tay
Definition
A unit of weight for gemstones and pearls, equivalent to 200 milligrams (0.2 grams). It is commonly used to describe the size of diamonds and other precious stones.
Examples
- My engagement ring has a 1-carat diamond, which sparkles beautifully.
- The jeweler showed us a variety of stones, from half-carat to three-carat options.
- When buying gemstones, it’s important to consider both the quality and the quilate.
Meaning
In the context of precious stones, ‘quilate’ refers to the weight measurement used to determine the value of gemstones. The higher the carat, the more expensive the stone is likely to be, as it indicates a larger size.
Synonyms
- carat
- gem weight